A Columbus woman facing three felony charges had her case bound over to Platte County District Court Monday by Judge Frank Skorupa during her first appearance in Platte County Court.

Megan E. Peterson, 32, was arrested in early September on charges stemming from allegedly being in possession of methamphetamine at her local apartment while in the company of her – at the time – 2-year-old child, according to a warrantless arrest affidavit submitted by Investigator Jeremy Zywiec of the Columbus Police Department.

On Sept. 10, the filed affidavit says an officer with the Columbus Police Department obtained a search warrant to execute a sweep of an apartment located in the 4500 block of 19th Street. Entering the apartment shortly after 10 p.m., the officer reportedly located five plastic baggies containing a crystal-like substance in a wooden box located on a bedroom floor.

The box, according to the affidavit, was unlocked and in close proximity to a toddler bed also present in the bedroom. The crystal substance was subsequently field tested and flagged positive as being methamphetamine.

Other items located in the box allegedly included empty plastic baggies, a digital scale and syringes loaded with a clear liquid. The clear liquid was field tested resulting positive as being methamphetamine, court records show.

The officer reportedly observed children’s clothing and new diapers on the floor surrounding the wooden box containing the above-mentioned drugs and paraphernalia. Several baggies located contained approximately .5 grams of the substance, according to the affidavit.

After being arrested, court records show that Peterson waived her Miranda Rights but refused to submit to a drug screen. She did, however, allegedly admit to injecting methamphetamine intravenously with her child present at the home four days prior to her incarceration.

Originally arrested and charged with felony drug possession and child abuse/neglect, a journal entry completed by Skorupa shows the defendant is charged with being in possession of a firearm with felony 2 drug violations and being in possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, both Class 1D felonies; and committing child abuse negligently/injuriously, a Class IIIA felony.

An additional charge of causing a child/adult to ingest methamphetamine first-offense, a Class I misdemeanor, was dismissed by the state, represented by Chief Deputy County Attorney Breanna Anderson.

Anderson explained an arrest affidavit doesn’t always reveal everything a defendant can or will be charged with when charges are formally levied.

“When we get the affidavit, it’s a spontaneous view of the officer to the situation,” she said. “Then we will get the full police reports following the incident to review those prior to charging.”

Since the case is ongoing, Anderson said she was unable to provide any more information relating to the two gun offenses.

Peterson is scheduled for an official arraignment at 10 a.m. Oct. 26 in Platte County District Court with Judge Robert Steinke presiding over the hearing.

Sam Pimper is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at Sam.Pimper@lee.net.

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